First Tank, High Ammonia After 4 Days?

[mahko]

Hey all,

Just recently purchased a Fluval Edge (LED model, 6 gallon/23L), and I just wanted some opinions to see if I am on the right track with everything.

As per the instructions provided, I added Nutrafin Aqua Plus (1/2 capful) to the water as I filled up the tank. Also added Nutrafin Cycle over a period of 3 days. It was a 30ml bottle.

The subtrate used is ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia I. This was recommended to me as I wanted live plants, which there are a few in the tank. Not sure about all of them but one is a grass-like, the other is a Brazil sword and the last is a fern type. Everything seems to be running smoothly. It's been 4 days now, and I wanted to test the water to see how things are progressing. I bought the API Master test kit and here are the following results.

-Tap water-
ph: ~7.6
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: not tested
Nitragte: not tested

-Tank water-
pH: 6.6
Ammonia: ~5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: not tested

Now a few questions: Is the high ammonia content from either Nutrafin products? Or perhaps from the plants? I've read several beginners guides, but as I understand, the Cycle should lower ammonia (allegedly).

Also, I have a sort of brown 'dust' on my plants. It doesn't quite look like algae, so I initially thought it was from the substrate settling from the big cloud I had when filling the tank.

Thanks for taking the time to read and I appreciate any and all help.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

The ammonia and dust are both from the ADA,

 

[mahko]

Ahh. That's a bit of a relief. At least I know what's going on now.

I'm going to be doing a fishless cycle and I suppose now I wait for the level to drop before adding ammonia. I think this process is going to be a good test on my patience.